5 Men’s Health Tips you need to know

Men’s Health

June 15, 2022

This year, International Men’s Health week falls between June 13-19th. Men’s Health Week is celebrated around the world to bring awareness and education about men’s health. Men may be resistant to go to the doctor, but most of the tips we have today don’t require speaking to your doctor.

Sleep habits

On average, it’s recommended that adults need between 7-8 hours of sleep. During that time our body repairs itself and refreshes us for a new day. There are ways to help get a better night’s sleep without turning to medications and sleep aids.

• Set a consistent sleep schedule. Having a sleep schedule helps your body fall into a routine. This means setting a bed-time and wake-up time that stay consistent throughout the week and sticking to it. As your body gets used to the schedule, it will be easier to fall asleep and wake up.
• Limit the amount of caffeine that you ingest. Caffeine is a stimulant, which is why most people have coffee or caffeinated tea in the mornings to help wake up. Drinking caffeine before bedtime can lead to trouble falling asleep and restless sleep.
• Skip the midnight snack. Snacking before bedtime means your body has to start working to digest what you just ate which also means your sleep won’t be as restful.

 

Drink water

There are a lot of drink options out there these days but none better than plain water. Besides having zero calories and keeping you hydrated during the day, water has a lot of other benefits. We’ve listed a few for you.

• Helps digestion and kidney function
• Drinking water before a meal helps curb your appetite
• Keeps your body hydrated
• Helps regulate body temperature

 

Maintain a healthy body weight

As we age, our body weight changes for many different reasons. Health, environmental conditions and even mental health all play a role in weight loss and weight gain. Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of developing conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, risk of stroke, and many other health conditions. 

Everyone has a different healthy weight based on their height, body shape and other health factors. Eating habits, family history, medications, sleep levels and physical activity all play a role in your body weight. Unhealthy habits like smoking and alcohol consumption also put you at risk for adding unnecessary weight, while diet and exercise help with weight management. To determine what your healthy weight is, talk with your doctor and discuss what a healthy range is for you.

 

Know when to slow down

Stress is something we all live with to some degree. It’s important to take a break every now and then to do something that relaxes you. Whether it’s spending an afternoon on the golf course or kicking back with your buddies at a sporting event, do something that helps you unwind. 

 

Protect your skin

Summer is here, which means we’re spending more time outside, which also means we’re putting our skin at risk for skin cancer. There are ways that we can reduce our risk though.

• Wear sunscreen!
• Avoid being in the sun from 11am until 3pm when the sun is strongest
• Apply sunscreen every 2 hours. If you’re swimming then you should apply more frequently
• Wear UV repellent clothing or slight colored clothing that reflects the sun rather than absorbs it like dark colors do.

For more tips on Men’s Health, check out last year’s blog.

The StayWell Health Center Team